The Winthrop Poll Findings
Suppose the election were being held today. If Barack Obama were the Democratic Party's candidate and
John McCain were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for - Barack
Obama, the Democrat (or) John McCain, the Republican? [names rotated]
51.3% 56.6%
35.1% 31%
49.1%
36.8%
Working
Class
Whites
60.1%
25.5%
2.7%
2.8%
2.6%
5.8%
2.7%
3.4%
8.3%
6.3%
9.2%
6.3%
8.7%
6.5%
2.6%
3.2%
2.3%
2.2%
1.9%
1.6%
All
McCain
Obama
Someone Else
[volunteered]
Undecided
[volunteered]
Refused
Deep
South
Peripheral
South
Christians
(white only)
Evangelicals
(white only)
64.7%
22%
71.5%
17%
Did you ever seriously consider not voting in the general election if your favored candidate in the primaries
didn’t get the nomination?
All
12.4%
84.7%
2.9%
Yes
No
Don't Know/Refused
Clinton Supporters
18.6%
79.8%
1.6%
How important is a candidate’s pick for vice president in deciding which presidential candidate you will
vote for – is it very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Very Important
Not At All Important
Don't Know/Refused
All Deep South
37.5%
38%
33.4%
32.9%
13.2%
14.7%
14.1%
12.8%
1.8%
1.6%
Peripheral South
37.1%
33.6%
12.6%
14.7%
2%
Working Class Whites
48.3%
28.5%
10.2%
11.1%
1.9%
Would choosing a vice presidential candidate from the South make you more likely or less likely to vote for
a presidential candidate, or would it make no difference?
7.1%
2.5%
Deep
South
8%
2.6%
Peripheral
South
6.7%
2.5%
Working Class
Whites
10.5%
1.8%
Native
Southerners
8%
2.5%
87.2%
85.9%
87.8%
84.9%
87.4%
2.5%
0.7%
3.2%
0.3%
2.1%
0.9%
2.8%
0.0%
1.7%
.4%
All
More Likely
Less Likely
Makes No
Difference
Not Sure
Refused
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?
Approve
Disapprove
Don't Know/Refused
All
Deep South
35.2%
38.5%
52.5%
48.7%
12.3%
12.7%
Peripheral South
33.9%
54.1%
12.0%
Working Class Whites
37.8%
53.1%
9.1%
Thinking about the current path that our nation is taking, do you think our country is on the right track or
headed in the wrong direction?
Right Track
Wrong Direction
Don't Know/Refused
All
Deep South
24.5%
27%
62.5%
60%
13.0%
13%
Peripheral South
23.5%
63.5%
13.0%
Working Class Whites
20.9%
68.2%
10.9%
Which of the following comes closest to your preference regarding U.S. policy on the environment:
[answers rotated]
The U.S. government should be more active in protecting the environment.
The U.S. government should continue its current environmental policies.
The U.S. government should less involved in environmental issues
All
Deep South Peripheral South
U.S Gov't More Active
57.2%
U.S. Gov't Continue Current 21.2%
U.S. Gov't Less Involved
17.3%
Not Sure [volunteered]
3.9%
Refused [volunteered]
0.4%
54.7%
22.3%
17.8%
4.9%
0.3%
58.2%
20.8%
17.1%
3.5%
0.4%
Working Class
Whites
58.3%
21.4%
16.8%
3%
0.5%
Which of the following qualities is most important to you in selecting the candidate for whom you will
vote? [answers rotated]
All
Experience
Knowledge/Intelligence
Honesty
Diplomatic Skills
Holds Positions Similar to
Yours
Exhibits Values Similar to
Yours
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
Deep Peripheral
South
South
Working
Christians Evangelicals
Class
(white only) (white only)
Whites
20.8%
23.4%
21.3%
13.1%
15.8%
11.7%
32.4%
24.4%
25.8%
4.5%
2.8%
2.6%
21.1%
18.2%
25.7%
3.7%
26.3%
16.0%
21.2%
1.9%
19%
19%
27.5%
4.5%
5.8%
6.4%
5.6%
2.8%
5.2%
5.1%
19.8%
19.9%
19.8%
20.3%
23.1%
28.9%
4.8%
1.0%
6.7%
1.6%
3.9%
0.8%
4.6%
1.4%
4.3%
1.1%
4.2%
0.5%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
What is the one issue that is most important to you in the upcoming presidential election? [NOTE: Question
open-ended; responses were categorized by trained interviewers]
All
Economy
35.7%
Iraq
12.0%
Price of Gas 5.8%
Healthcare
5.3%
Deep South
Economy 34.8%
Iraq
10.4%
Healthcare 7.3%
Terrorism 6.6%
Peripheral South
Economy
35.9%
Iraq
12.5%
Price of Gas
6.0%
Healthcare
4.4%
Working Class Whites
Economy
32.4%
Iraq
15.3%
Price of Gas
6.2%
Healthcare
5.6%
I’m going to read a list of issues, for each issue, I’d like for you to tell me –if you had to choose—whether
you think John McCain or Barack Obama would do a better job on that issue.
The first issue is healthcare. Who do you think would do better on that issue?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
41.6%
40.8%
47.5%
36.9%
39.2%
42.4%
Working Class
Whites
48.3%
34.9%
8.1%
6.7%
8.6%
7.7%
9.1%
0.5%
8.3%
0.6%
9.4%
0.4%
8.7%
0.3%
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
47.3%
33.6%
51%
30.6%
45.9%
34.7%
Working Class
Whites
50.1%
27.5%
10.7%
8.9%
11.3%
9.0%
7.8%
0.6%
8.6%
1%
7.6%
0.5%
11.7%
1.8%
How about energy, including gas prices?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
How about the situation in Iraq?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
53.7%
33.5%
56.8%
30.5%
52.5%
34.6%
Working Class
Whites
59.5%
25.1%
6.4%
4.4%
7.2%
6.5%
6.0%
0.3%
7.3%
1.0%
5.6%
0.1%
8.0%
0.8%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
How about taxes?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
50%
30.3%
54.8%
30.3%
48%
30.2%
Working Class
Whites
51%
23.4%
10.1%
5.4%
12%
10.7%
9.2%
0.4%
8.3%
1.3%
9.6%
0.1%
14.1%
0.8%
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
42.1%
25.5%
44.4%
25.7%
41.2%
25.4%
Working Class
Whites
42.4%
18.1%
14%
14%
14%
16.6%
17.3%
1%
14.3%
1.6%
18.6%
0.8%
21.3%
1.6%
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
45.1%
28.2%
49.2%
26.7%
43.4%
28.8%
Working Class
Whites
55.7%
21.8%
17.5%
13%
19.3%
14.2%
8.5%
0.7%
10.2%
1%
7.8%
0.7%
7.8%
0.6%
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
57.9%
25.2%
61.6%
23.8%
56.3%
25.7%
Working Class
Whites
62.6%
18.5%
9%
5.4%
10.4%
8.7%
7.6%
0.3%
8.3%
1.0%
7.4%
0.1%
9.3%
0.8%
How about illegal immigration?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
How about moral values?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
How about terrorism?
McCain
Obama
Neither/Do the Same
[volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one applies
more to Barack Obama or more to John McCain?
The first is ―Understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives.‖
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
39.1%
41.1%
44.9%
36%
36.8%
43.2%
Working Class
Whites
47%
33.1%
8.2%
8.3%
8.1%
9.2%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
7.9%
3.5%
0.2%
7.3%
2.9%
0.6%
8.1%
3.8%
0.0%
7.5%
2.8%
0.3%
[volunteered]
How about ―Is independent in his thoughts and actions.‖
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
41.1%
38.1%
47.8%
33.4%
38.4%
40%
Working Class
Whites
47.9%
31.1%
7.2%
5.4%
7.8%
3.8%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
7.3%
5.8%
0.4%
6.1%
6.4%
1.0%
7.8%
5.6%
0.3%
8.1%
8.2%
0.8%
[volunteered]
Would work well with both parties to get things done in Washington.
All
McCain
45.8%
Obama
32.9%
Applies to Both Equally [volunteered] 8.8%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
7.0%
Not Sure [volunteered]
4.9%
Refused [volunteered]
0.6%
Deep South
Peripheral South
49%
30.9%
6.7%
8.3%
3.8%
1.3%
44.4%
33.7%
9.7%
6.6%
5.2%
0.4%
Working Class
Whites
53.7%
27.6%
6.4%
3.9%
7.6%
0.8%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
Cares about the needs of people like you.
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
37%
37.9%
43%
34.4%
34.5%
39.3%
Working Class
Whites
43.2%
33.3%
8.5%
8%
8.8%
5.3%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
11.6%
4.5%
0.6%
8.9%
4.5%
1.3%
12.7%
4.5%
0.3%
13.0%
5.0%
0.3%
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
50.1%
30.3%
53%
27.8%
48.8%
31.4%
Working Class
Whites
56.3%
24.9%
8.7%
6.7%
9.6%
5.4%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
5.6%
4.5%
0.7%
6.4%
4.8%
1.3%
5.4%
4.5%
0.4%
7.1%
5.9%
0.3%
[volunteered]
Is a strong leader.
[volunteered]
Would stand up to special interests, including those aligned with his party.
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
40.8%
33.7%
44.1%
31.9%
39.4%
34.5%
Working Class
Whites
48%
26.7%
6.4%
4.8%
7.1%
3.6%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
10.9%
7.3%
0.9%
9.6%
8.0%
1.6%
11.4%
7%
0.7%
8.2%
11.5%
2.0%
[volunteered]
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
Shares your values.
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
45.1%
32.9%
50%
29.2%
43.2%
34.4%
Working Class
Whites
51.1%
23.8%
7.5%
6.1%
8%
6.4%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
8.7%
5.2%
0.6%
8.7%
4.5%
1.6%
8.7%
5.5%
0.1%
8.8%
9.6%
0.3%
[volunteered]
Has a clear plan for solving the country’s problems.
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
29.8%
26.2%
34.1%
24.1%
28.1%
26.9%
Working Class
Whites
39.3%
20.1%
4.5%
4.2%
4.6%
3.7%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
33.3%
5.6%
0.6%
29.6%
5.8%
2.3%
34.8%
5.5%
0.0%
27.9%
7.9%
1.1%
[volunteered]
Is honest and trustworthy.
McCain
Obama
Applies to Both Equally
40.7%44.1%
27.9%25.4%
39.2%
28.9%
Working Class
Whites
49.8%
19.6%
16.9%13.5%
18.4%
13.1%
Applies to Neither [volunteered]
Not Sure [volunteered]
Refused [volunteered]
9.3% 8.4%
4.5% 6.8%
0.7% 1.9%
9.7%
3.5%
0.3%
9.8%
7.4%
0.3%
All
[volunteered]
Deep South
Peripheral South
How important is it that a president has served in the United States military – is it very important,
somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Very Important
Not At All Important
Don't Know/Refused
All Deep South
27.3%
32.7%
28.8%
26%
14.4%
12.8%
28.3%
26%
1.3%
2.6%
Peripheral South
25.1%
29.9%
15%
29.2%
0.8%
Working Class Whites
37.8%
24.3%
12.7%
23.4%
1.9%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
How concerned are you that, as president, John McCain would pursue policies that are too similar to what
George W. Bush has pursued – very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned
at all.
All Deep South
34.6%
32.1%
16.8%
15.4%
15%
17%
30.9%
33.7%
2.8%
1.9%
Very Concerned
Somewhat Concerned
Not Too Concerned
Not At All Concerned
Don't Know/Refused
Peripheral South
35.5%
17.4%
14.2%
29.7%
3.2%
Working Class Whites
30.9%
20.8%
16.6%
29%
2.7%
I’d like to ask you what you think about Barack Obama’s level of experience. Do you think he has enough
experience to be president, does not have enough experience to be president, or are not sure whether he
has enough experience to be president?
Has Enough Experience
Does Not Have Enough
Experience
Not Sure
Refused
All
31.3%
Deep South
27.3%
Peripheral South
32.9%
Working Class Whites
21.2%
49.4%
53.4%
47.8%
57.8%
18.3%
1%
18.3%
1%
18.3%
1.1%
20.5%
0.5%
I’d like for you to think about your circle of closest friends. Do you think the majority of them would have a
serious problem voting for an African American for president, somewhat of a problem voting for an African
American for president, or no problem at all voting for an African American for president?
Serious Problem
Somewhat of a Problem
No Problem At All
Not Sure
Refused
All Deep South Peripheral South
5.8%
6.5%
5.5%
16.5%
16.8%
16.4%
73.2%
72.9%
73.3%
3.9%
3.9%
3.8%
0.6%
0.0%
0.9%
Working Class Whites
9%
23%
63%
3.9%
1%
In your choice for president, how important is the race of the candidate - very important, somewhat
important, not so important or not important at all?
All
Very Important
6.4%
Somewhat Important 5.8%
Not Very Important 13.5%
Not At All Important 73.3%
Don't Know/Refused 1.1%
Deep South
Peripheral South
Whites
Blacks
8.7%
6.8%
14.8%
68.4%
1.3%
5.5%
5.5%
12.9%
75.1%
1.1%
4.6%
5.3%
14.7%
74.3%
1.1%
18.8%
8.3%
12%
60.9%
0.0%
Working
Class
Whites
9.1%
8.3%
15.7%
65.1%
1.8%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
In your choice for president, how important is the age of the candidate - very important, somewhat
important, not so important or not important at all?
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Very Important
Not At All Important
Don't Know/Refused
All
Deep South
Peripheral South
12.9%
34.6%
16.1%
35.3%
1.1%
14.2%
32.6%
16.8%
35.5%
1%
12.4%
35.6%
15.8%
35.2%
1.1%
Working Class
Whites
16.9%
30%
14.8%
36.8%
1.4%
At what age would you say someone is ―too old‖ to run for president?
Not Sure
No Age Too Old
Mean
Median
Mode
14.9%
21.2%
73.73 years old
74 years old
70 years old
Even if the candidate were a practicing Christian, would having a Muslim parent impact your willingness to
vote for a candidate for president?
All
Yes
24.8%
No
65%
Not Sure 8.7%
Refused 1.5%
Deep South Peripheral South
27.7%
59.7%
9%
3.5%
23.5%
67.2%
8.7%
0.7%
Working
Class Whites
37.7%
49.9%
11%
1.4%
Christians
(white only)
30%
59.7%
9.3%
1%
Evangelicals
(white only)
40.3%
49%
9.8%
0.9%
How important would you say religion is in your own life: Very important, fairly important, or not very
important?
All
Very Important
70.8%
Fairly Important
18.6%
Not Very Important 9.2%
Refused
1.5%
Deep
South
82.4%
12.7%
3.6%
1.3%
Peripheral South
Whites
66.1%
21%
11.5%
1.5%
69%
20.4%
9.7%
1%
Working Class
Whites
83.6%
78%
11.9%
14%
2.2%
7.4%
2.2%
0.5%
Blacks
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
Would you describe yourself as a ―born again‖ or evangelical Christian?
All
Yes
No
Not Sure
Refused
49.8%
45.2%
2.7%
2.3%
Deep
South
59.5%
35.5%
3.3%
1.6%
Peripheral South Whites
45.7%
49.2%
2.5%
2.6%
Blacks
48.9%
47.2%
2.5%
1.5%
66.2%
27.1%
4.5%
2.3%
Working Class
Whites
65.8%
29.3%
3.8%
1.1%
How would you describe your political beliefs, Very Liberal, Somewhat Liberal, Moderate, Somewhat
Conservative, Very Conservative?
Very Liberal
Somewhat Liberal
Moderate
Somewhat
Conservative
Very Conservative
Not Sure
Refused
All
Deep South
7.4%
15.2%
24.6%
8.3%
12.5%
22.8%
Peripheral
South
7%
16.2%
25.3%
6.3%
13.0%
24.7%
Working Class
Whites
11.4%
6.4%
27.3%
15.6%
27.3%
28.7%
26.4%
26.4%
26.3%
28.5%
15.2%
19.4%
23.4%
2.3%
0.8%
28.1%
0.7%
1.3%
21.6%
3.1%
0.5%
24.7%
2.3%
0.5%
16.7%
1.5%
0.8%
26.3%
3.2%
0.3%
Whites
Blacks
Which of the following best describes your regional identity? [answers rotated]
- Non-Southern
- Converted Southerner
- Native Southerner
All
Non-Southern
Converted
Southerner
Native Southerner
Not Sure
Refused
Deep South Peripheral South
Whites
Working
Class Whites
13.6%
5.4%
Blacks
14.6%
9.1%
16.8%
14.3%
20%
13.7%
22.6%
22%
6.8%
19.9%
61.5%
3%
1.0%
74.6%
1.6%
1.0%
56%
3.5%
1.1%
60.8%
2.2%
0.7%
75%
4.5%
0.0%
71.9%
2.3%
0.5%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.
The Winthrop Poll Findings
Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and public affairs most of the time, whether
there's an election or not. Others aren't that interested. How often would you say that you follow what is
going on in government and public affairs: Most of the time, Some of the time, Only now and then, or
Hardly at all?
Most of the Time
Some of the Time
Only Now and Then
Hardly At All
Don't Know/Refused
73.4%
18.5%
4.5%
2.7%
0.1%
What is your primary source for news about politics? Is it local or regional television news, cable television
news, newspapers, radio, the Internet, talking with friends or family, or something else?
Local/Regional TV News
Cable TV News
Newspapers
Radio
Internet
Friends or Family
Something Else
Don't Know/Refused
19.5%
44.7%
16.9%
5.2%
9.2%
1.6%
1.0%
1.7%
For further information on the Winthrop Poll, please contact Dr. Scott Huffmon at 803/323-4669.